Adelle Laudan: Killer Scents

Randy caught a flash of disappointment in his new partner’s eyes. He stepped up to stand beside her. “Are they something you carry here?”

“I don’t keep orchids in stock, but I can special order them, that is if you’re not in too much of a hurry.”

“No, that’s fine. We’re in a time crunch. Thanks for your help.” She took back the picture, refolding it on her way out of the store.

Randy held the door open and followed her outside. “One down, how many to go?”

Becca offered a weak smile. “Too many.”

He tasted the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, and Jeffery Dunn lay at his feet, out cold.

“Did you really think you’d get out of your punishment so easily?”

Despite the fucker’s lame attempt to overpower him, the butt end of his gun connected with the side of the man’s skull hard enough to render him unconscious.

There will be no second chances for you, buddy.

He bound his hands and feet, even tied his knees together for good measure before dragging him over and up onto the couch. Next, he secured his head with heavy tape.

Jeffery mumbled incoherently, struggling against the rope. His eyes flew open. “What the hell is going on?”

He tilted back his head and laughed. “If it wasn’t for guys like you, I’d be with my one true love, and she’d still be alive.”

“Who would? You must have the wrong guy. I have no idea what you’re talking about. How about you untie me and we’ll just forget any of this ever happened?”

From his bag, he pulled out basketball netting. “Maybe this will give you a clue. Do you remember the last time you saw one of these?”

Jeffery’s face turned beet red. “You’re fucking nuts! You’re talking crazy-talk.”

“I’ve heard enough from you.” Before Jeffery could say another word, he stuffed the netting in his victim’s mouth.

Anger and fear dueled in the guy’s bulging eyes. He struggled against his bindings as he gagged and made a futile attempt to spit the netting out.

“Do you remember watching a kid shooting hoops with his dad...and how jealous you were? Do you recall how you were angry enough to aim your car at the little guy later that night?”

Jeffery froze—a hint of recognition in his too-bright eyes.

“It’s going to give me great pleasure shutting your mouth for good.”

The last two lines of the journal entry urged him on.

If the boy hadn’t jumped into the bushes, he’ would’ve been seriously hurt, or even killed. Should I be scared? Is Jeffery envious of me?

The needle slid through his lips easily. He’d become quite the accomplished tailor. A slow smile of satisfaction played on his lips as Jeffery’s eyes roll back in his head. Afterward, he meticulously cleaned up around the stitches and then took out his revolver.

The sound of him smacking Jeffery’s cheeks broke the silence. “Wakie, wakie! You don’t want to miss the grand finale, do you?”

Jeffery opened his eyes to stare down the muzzle of the gun. His eyes brimmed with tears as he watched The Florist take position at the end of the sofa.

“Paybacks are a bitch, asshole.”

Chapter Six

She suddenly spun around, reaching for her gun.

“Whoa!” Randy raised his hands.

Becca gulped for air, struggling to catch her breath. “Don’t sneak up on people. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

He stepped back. “Sorry, I just wanted to ask if you’d like some coffee, but apparently caffeine is the last thing you need.”

Blowing out a rush of pent-up frustration, Becca lowered herself to the curb and pushed her fingers through her tangled hair. What I need is sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, the crime photos of all those vacant eyes haunted her, the disturbing image of their mouths sewn shut, emblazoned in her memory.

Randy sat on the curb beside her, his musky scent comforting and titillating at the same time. “Listen, I’m not going to tell you how you should feel. What I will tell you is that I’m in this for the long haul. We will find the son-of-a-bitch together . You are not in this alone.” He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly.

Becca blinked back the threat of tears and shrugged his hand away. There was no denying the attraction between them, but a relationship with this man wasn’t an option. I’m poison to those I love, plus everyone close to me dies. First Jack, then Darla, andnow Susan... She took a deep breath and pushed herself up from the curb.

“Thanks. I guess we won’t find him sitting around here all day.”

Much to her relief, he let it go without further discussion and ambled over to his bike with an air of quiet confidence.

Becca followed suit and prepared to head out. “Maybe we’ll get lucky this time.”

Randy pulled his hair back in a ponytail before putting on his helmet. “Alrighty then, let’s rock and roll.”

Within minutes both engines rumbled beneath them. Randy put two fingers to his forehead and smiled, raised his foot from the ground, and then took off.

Maybe it’s time I let someone else lead. The corners of her mouth twitched as she checked him out from behind . He’s definitely the epitome of a hot biker, and he definitely knew exactly how to make her body sing. She heaved a sigh. Please let the next shop give us something—anything—thatmight bringuscloser to finding TheFlorist.

Randy lifted his coffee to inhale the rich aroma and noticed Becca did the same thing from the edge of her seat. A braided silver band on her pinky finger, the only jewellery of any kind he’d seen her wear, glinted in the sun. From what he could tell she wasn’t seeing anyone special. Is it an heirloom?

A sign hung in the flower shop window: Gone to Lunch. His watch read ten minutes to twelve, giving them a little time to sit in the sun and enjoy a cup of java.

“You know, if this is another dead-end, maybe we need to look at the growers nearby. There are a few nurseries outside the city limits.”

Becca nodded. “I agree. Somebody has to know something. I’m realizing you’re average home gardener wouldn’t have the resources to grow these types of flowers.”

The jingle of keys stole their attention. The store owner stood at the door to her shop.

“Excuse me, miss. Could we have a minute of your time?” Randy jogged across the parking lot with Becca on his heels.

He introduced them, dropping the guise of planning a wedding.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize they’d hit another brick wall.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help,” the proprietor stated.

Randy’s pager buzzed, and he raised a finger. “I’ll be right back.” He walked away, taking his cell phone out and keying in the precinct number.

“Randy, The Florist struck again. I’m on my way over there now. “

“Do you want us to meet you there, Chief?”

“How is Becca holding up?”

“She’s doing okay.” He opened his notebook and scribbled down the address the chief rattled off.

Becca crossed the distance between them, a genuine smile on her face as she waved a piece of paper in the air.

“The owner thinks we need to visit a Professor Olsen Davies. He’s a professor of horticulture. If anyone has the answers, it will be him.” She stopped short and looked sideways at him. “Is there something going on I should know about?”